Burghred of Mercia

Burghred of Mercia (830-) was the king of Mercia from 852 to 874, succeeding Beorhtwulf of Mercia and preceding Ceolwulf II of Mercia.

Biography
Burghred of Mercia was born in 830, and is is unclear if he was related to his predecessor Beorhtwulf of Mercia. In 852 he became king of Mercia, and in 853 he was joined by Aethelwulf of Wessex in the subjugation of the Welsh. However, in 865 he was faced with a stronger opponent: the Great Heathen Army. The vikings of Jorvik defeated East Anglia and Northumbria and pushed into Mercia, and in 874 he was driven from his kingdom when the Vikings sacked Tamworth. Ceolwulf II of Mercia succeeded him, as he pledged his loyalty to the Vikings. Burghred fled to Rome, and when he died, he was buried in the Church of Santa Maria.